Karen "Kay" Collins Disher

Karen “Kay” Mae Collins Disher, 82, peacefully passed away in the arms of Jesus at her home on Saturday, December 13, 2025. She was born on April 25, 1943, in the town of West Grove, PA to the late Joseph Cecil Collins and the late Virginia Pauline Parsons Collins. She grew up in Bennettsville, SC on a 1000-acre cattle farm. She moved to Winston-Salem, NC in 1961 after graduation from Lower Marlboro High School in Blenheim, SC. She accepted Christ as her Savior on August 16, 1964, at Urban Street Baptist Church in Waughtown, NC. On January 16, 1966, she married and from that union she had three children. She was a stay-at-home mom and was always available for her children as they were growing up and when they became adults. Family was everything to her. While she was known as “Kay" to the community, to her children she was “Mama,” “Mom,” and “Ma.”

Those who will carry her love forward are her two daughters, April Lee (Bill), Tara Maxey (Robert), her son Blaine (Amy) and her very favorite people - her grandchildren. She was called “Nana" by Sarah, Amelia, Will, and Stone, and “Chief” by Gracyn. She loved her sister, Virginia Collins Cox, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers Joe Collins, Stephen Collins, and Allan Collins. Her pets gave her much joy - Sheldon the cat and her chickens who roamed the yard.

She was a dedicated member of Gospel Light Baptist Church. She taught 5-year-old Sunday School class for 27 years. As recently as last week an adult lady approached her in town to thank her for being her teacher and for the influence she had on her life.

She loved the town and people of Kernersville. She was a photographer for the Kernersville News for the past 29 years. She was so happy when she was taking pictures of the people and events in Kernersville. She was an active member of the Kernersville Historic Preservation Society and the Kernersville Community Appearance Commission.

She enjoyed The Andy Griffith Show and was a founding member of the Barney Chapter of the Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club. She also was a member of The Waltons International Fan Club and loved the movie Gone with the Wind.

She desired more than anything for her grandchildren to accept Jesus as their Savior. She left each of her grandchildren handwritten notes with Scripture verses from a service she attended that gave the plan of salvation.

A special message from Sarah: Her beloved grandchildren knew her as Nana. She was the sunshine in any room, the gentle voice to talk with when I needed it, and the most generous lady I know. Nana was always there when I needed her. She always put others above herself. Her love for the Lord and her children radiated out of her life. I never heard her say anything negative about her family or friends. She loved everybody and always had a smile on her face. I love you more than anything, Nana.

A Celebration of her Wonderful Life will be held on Friday, December 19, 2025, at 2:00pm, at Gospel Light Baptist Church in Walkertown, NC. Officiating the service will be Rev. Frank Shumate, Alan Comer, and nephew Rev. Wade Collins. The family will receive friends from 12:00-1:45pm at the church prior to the service. She will be buried immediately following the service beside her beloved Aunt Mary Ruth Harrison at Mt. Olivet Community Cemetery in Walkertown, NC. Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mt. Olivet Community Cemetery (attn: Gary Fulp) 135 White Farm Road, King, NC 27021 or the Kernersville Community Appearance Commission at 134 East Mountain Street, Kernersville, NC 27284 PO Box 728.